The first hurdle on a ski holiday can arrive before you see any snow: working out what you are supposed to book. Boots, lessons, passes and transfers tend to appear in the same conversation, often spoken about by people who learnt the language years ago. In this Destination Unlocked episode, Daniel Edward starts from zero and asks Soberski founder Ben Coombes to explain it.
Hire the equipment before you buy into the hobby
Ben recommends organising hire with a shop near your accommodation before you travel. Explain that you are a beginner, so the shop can recommend appropriate skis, boots and a helmet. Give yourself time for fitting rather than planning to arrive at the lesson meeting point moments after collecting your kit.
Clothing is a separate question. Ask what is included in the hire package and what you need to bring yourself. A borrowed jacket can be more useful on a first trip than an expensive purchase made before you know what feels comfortable. Check fit and suitability for the conditions rather than dressing for the photograph.
Learn some of the mechanics at home
A session at an indoor snow centre can introduce the unfamiliar business of wearing ski boots and clipping into skis. Ben found that useful before his own first trip. It is a chance to discover what a lesson feels like without also negotiating an airport transfer and a new resort.
That preparation does not set a timetable for how quickly you should learn. Book qualified instruction for your level, and tell the instructor what you have already done. A friend’s confidence on a red run is not a useful measure of where your first morning ought to end.
Understand the pass before buying the biggest one
A lift pass gives access to specified lifts and areas over the period you buy. It is different from a lesson booking. In the French system discussed in the episode, green runs are generally the easiest, followed by blue, red and black. Your instructor can help you identify terrain that suits your ability and the conditions.
Méribel is part of the Three Valleys, but access to the entire linked area may be more than you need at the start. Ask your ski school which pass is appropriate for the lesson location and your likely first few days. The official pass guide sets out the available products; do not assume every lesson includes one.
Choose a group that makes learning easier
Ask what happens when the confident skiers head off. Are there other beginners, how are lessons arranged, and where will you meet later? Sharing a chalet does not mean sharing an ability level. A good social plan lets people enjoy different ski days and still reconnect over dinner.
Ben also recommends thinking about fitness before you go. Even carrying equipment around a resort can feel unfamiliar. Build preparation around your own circumstances, and allow time to rest during the holiday. There is no prize for being too tired to enjoy the final days.
Keep the first week achievable
Book the essentials, ask the small questions and leave room for progress. Your first trip can be about learning how the mountain works, enjoying the setting and deciding whether you want to return. You do not have to become the fastest person in your group to have a very good holiday.
Hear the conversation
These ideas come from Daniel Edward’s conversation with Ben Coombes, founder of Soberski. Find the complete collection in our Méribel and alcohol-free ski holidays hub.